November 27, 2022

In This Week's Update

• Sunday Sermon and Song List
• New Children's Sunday School Class
• Parade Of Lights & Story Hour
• New Sunday School Class
• Wednesday Night Meals
• God Rest Ye Merry
• Small Group Opportunities
• Women's Bible Studies
• Church Calendar
• Hy-Vee Gift Cards
• Discovery Zone Schedule
• Cowboy Christmas
• Prayer Reminders for ZoeCare
• Men's Breakfast
• Baptism Sunday
• Caroling at Pathways
• Christmas Gift Wrapping
• Small Group Sign Up
• Special Congregational Meeting

This Sunday's Sermon:

Conflict might seem like an odd topic for the holidays but if you think about it, the holidays can be a time when our old enemy likes to ruin the fun by stirring up conflict in our homes and churches. And even if the enemy wasn't working hard our own hearts can be quick to quarrel for any number of reasons. How should believers deal with this?



James 4 might be the best passage to read and believe in order to respond to conflict in a Christ-exalting way. Hearing it might sometimes feel like taking bitter medicine, but it's the good stuff that actually cures our ills. Join us Sunday to hear God's word about responding to conflict with single-minded faith in Christ.

To get yourself ready to sing on Sunday you can start listening to the songs we'll be singing together:

• Hosana (praise is Rising)
• King Of Kings
• Raise Up The Crown
• Jesus Paid It All
• Joy To The World (Unspeakable Joy)



We created a playlist on Youtube in case you want to start listening today. You can find that by clicking HERE.

New Children's Sunday School Class

We're super excited for our new Sunday school curriculum for grades 1st-5th! "What's In The Bible" will take our students from Genesis to Revelation. More than just the greatest hits or most popular stories, the "What’s in the Bible?" class is designed to engage children in the whole narrative of God’s Word. The Bible is not a book of rules, but a book of rescue – the beautiful story of the Father who longs to be in relationship with His people, and who went to extraordinary measures to bring us into His Kingdom!  

You Can Watch The Trailer HERE!

Sunday School Class List

• Combined Sunday School Class (4 years to 5th grade students)- What's In the Bible- in classrooms downstairs
• Revival grades 6-12, taught by Pastor Brandon in the attic
• Adults - Women study on Proverbs - Annex

                     - Men study on Proverbs- Fellowship Hall

Parade of Lights and Story Hour- December 1st

Discovery Church will be one of the family activity stops this year for the Parade of Lights festivities. We will have story time as well as offer hot chocolate and coffee. We will need volunteers for the hot chocolate and coffee stations, greeters, and readers. Please contact the office for more information or to sign up to volunteer.

Some have argued that Romans is the most important book in the Bible and even contains the most important chapter in the Bible (Romans 8). Of course, that argument won't be settled until the other side of eternity. Until then, we can just enjoy working through this rich letter in the weeks (months?) to come. We had a great time in our separate men's and women's classes on Proverbs but now it's time to come back together and enjoy this essential New Testament book with one another! See you Sunday!

Wednesday Night Meals

Volunteers will provide the main course for Wednesday nights. You may turn in a receipt for the meal if you desire to be reimbursed. The meal begins at 5:45PM. Volunteers will need to have the meal here ready to eat at that time or bring frozen to the office ahead of time with instructions for cooking. The sign up sheet for next semester is located on the back table.

God Rest Ye Merry

It's the time of year for Christmas Carols! No matter how you may feel about the 'ol traditional tunes there's a lot to be said about their content. Some of the most well known date back to the 16th Century! God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is one of those old ones. There is debate about how old it is, but some of the oldest versions/copies we know about date back to the 1700s.

Here are a couple ideas about why it has such staying power. 



1. It focuses on two of the most central qualities of the Christian experience: peace/rest and merriment/joy:

• God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
• Tidings of comfort and joy
• Now to the Lord sing praises
• Each other now embrace

Each of these lines reference and capture the fountains of joy that flow from what the coming of Christ means to the world.

2. It doesn't shy away from the subject of Satan and spiritual warfare:

• To save us all from Satan's power while we were gone astray
• To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's power and might

Christ's coming (and especially His death and resurrection) robbed Satan of his power - the power to accuse the people of God, the power to accuse God of compromising His justice when he loves and forgives sinners. These are powerful gospel reminders that never get old. 

Mercy Me has a pretty great version you can listen to RIGHT HERE.

Here are all the study/fellowship opportunities currently available through our church:



• Monday Morning Men's Group -6:45AM at Fryn' Pan
• Monday Evening Men's Group - 7:00PM at Discovery
• Women's Tuesday evening study will resume in January.
• Wednesday night activities- 5:45 PM meal and 6:15PM classes for all ages
• Wednesday Evening College Bible Study
• Women's Thursday morning study will resume December 1st at 9:00am in the annex. They will be studying Philippians and will be facilitated by Mary Holdahl. If you need child care, please contact the office.

Questions? Contact the church office at (605) 689-2211.

Women' s Bible Studies

The Thursday morning study will begin a new study in Philippians on Thursday December 1st at 9:00 AM. They will go to lunch after and then go to the Mead building to see Tom Cihak’s Lego creations on display. If you will need childcare please contact the office.

The Tuesday evening study will resume in January to study Philippians: Count It All Joy. Childcare is not provided for this study.

Did You Know You Can Give To The Church By Purchasing Hy-vee Gift Cards?

Discovery Church receives 5% back on all gift cards purchased from the church. You can purchase your $50 or $100 gift cards on Sundays from Jeff and Dawn Herron (Fellowship Hall) or weekdays from the office. There is no limit on how many you can purchase. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the church office. 

Discovery Zone Wednesday Schedule

Schedule

5:45PM - Free Family Fellowship Meal- Spaghetti and Mac n' Cheese. Everyone is welcome!

6:15PM - Family Night

7:00PM - Dismiss

Pre K-K: Grapevine Studies: Stories in Genesis

1st-3rd: ABC'S Of God

4th-6th Grade: To Be Like Jesus

Revival Youth (7th-12th Grade): Doctrine of Scripture

Adult Bible Study: Daniel

Cowboy Christmas at the Ranch!

Discovery Church would love to get a group together to attend this event on Saturday, November 26th from 2-4 pm. If you are not able to attend at that time, we encourage you to attend the event when you are able. If you have questions, please contact the office.

Prayer Reminders:

Would you like to join us in praying every Monday at noon for the unborn and the over-all spiritual awakening of our nation? You can opt in for reminders every Monday at noon to either fast and pray or just stop and take a quick moment to say a prayer for our nation to be healed from the pain of abortion. Contact the office and we'll get you signed up for the weekly reminder!

BAPTISM SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th

Mark your calendars for December 4th: We'll be kicking off Advent with a Baptism Sunday! If you've wondered whether you should get baptized or if you have questions about baptism now might be a good time to settle on that decision. Here at Discovery we believe that baptism expresses a believer's unity with Jesus and with the church. It's also a way of the whole church affirming and supporting your faith in the Lord. It's an encouragement to the church and a bold witness to the world of the saving news of Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus and have never been baptized don't wait any longer! If you want to get baptized you should talk to one of the pastors and we'll help you get ready for Baptism Sunday.

Caroling at Pathways- December 7th at 7:15PM

Everyone is invited to join us as we go carol for the residents at Pathways, singing ability is not required. We will meet at Discovery at 7:00PM and drive to Pathways together. If you have questions please contact the office.

Christmas Gift Wrapping

We will offer Christmas Gift Wrapping free of charge to the community (and our congregation) on Saturday morning, December 10th and 17th, 9:00 AM—Noon. All donations will be given to Pathways Shelter for the Homeless. Please contact the office if you would like to volunteer to wrap gifts on one or both of those Saturdays.

Small Groups

Our small group meets on Mondays, but we are adding more small group opportunities. If you would like to be apart of a small group please sign up on the clipboards by the bulletins or call the office.

Special Congregational Meeting

Sunday, December 11th

Join us on Sunday December 11th for a special congregational meeting directly following the service. The first draft of the 2023 budget will be presented. We encourage everyone who calls Discovery Church their home to attend and give their feedback.

Elder Meeting Minutes

To read the minutes from our most recent elder meeting, please click HERE.